Since the start of the 2025 academic year, Collège Champittet has implemented a comprehensive phone-free learning environment across all levels, from preschool through Year 14. This policy prohibits students from using their phones while on campus, creating a positive atmosphere more conducive to learning and significantly improving the quality of interpersonal interactions among students. The decision reflects the school's commitment to fostering an educational setting where students can focus entirely on their academic and social development without the constant distractions of digital devices. This approach aligns with growing educational research demonstrating the negative impacts of smartphone usage during school hours.
The school recognizes, however, that banning phones should not equate to shielding students from technology entirely. As UNESCO observes in its analysis on smartphone bans worldwide, 'Students need to learn the risks and opportunities that come with technology and not be shielded from them entirely.' Collège Champittet has embraced this balanced approach by progressively introducing students to technology as an educational tool rather than a social distraction. The school's Family Digital Center, accessible through their Useful Documents page, outlines comprehensive IT policies and rules governing the appropriate use of iPads, laptop computers, and other educational devices within the curriculum. This ensures students develop digital literacy and technological competence while maintaining focus during instructional time.
The rationale behind implementing a phone-free environment is supported by compelling data about smartphone usage patterns among young people. According to non-profit organization Common Sense Media, the average teenager checks their phone over 100 times per day, with more than two-thirds of surveyed teens admitting they find it difficult to put their phones down. This constant connectivity creates significant challenges for students' cognitive functioning, as the daily distraction of hundreds of notifications increases cognitive load, disrupts concentration, interferes with sleep routines, and elevates stress levels. Additionally, social media platforms facilitated by smartphones have contributed to the rise of cyberbullying and other serious risks to children's and teenagers' mental health.
Research from educational systems worldwide confirms the benefits of phone-free schools. UNESCO notes that more than 40% of national education systems have already implemented phone bans to improve student learning outcomes. In England, a study of 91 schools found consistent improvement in test scores over time following the prohibition of phone use. The same study observed that students engaged in more face-to-face social interaction during breaks, while overall behavior showed significant improvement. A 2025 randomised control study involving nearly 17,000 students further validated these findings, demonstrating that phone bans promote a more conducive learning environment. Interestingly, students themselves were likely to become supportive of such bans after experiencing their benefits firsthand. From boosting concentration to encouraging social behavior and enhancing overall wellbeing, the advantages of limiting smartphone use in educational settings are substantial and multifaceted.
